Biodiversity Terms

A glossary of definitions for terms relating to biodiversity, ecosystems services and conservation.

All definitions are referenced, where possible preference has been given to internationally recognised definitions (for example those defined by international conventions or agreements). The terms have been chosen to support understanding of biodiversity and conservation issues, and terms relating to biodiversity loss are complemented by those relating to conservation responses supported by international conservation organisations, governments, scientists and business sectors.

More detailed explanations are provided for a number of key terms, to provide further background information.

The terms can be filtered by category to aid in the navigation of the many definitions.

Nagoya Protocol

Definition

The Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD Secretariat) 20131